Film mounting and driving apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for mounting film strip, such as microfilm strip, and for driving the film past a reading or viewing position, is disclosed in which the film is mounted on one spool in a cassette which also supports a takeup spool. The cassette, which is removable from the driving apparatus, is positively located by spigot means so that each spool engages a respective spindle of the apparatus, there being radial play between each spool and the cassette. Different forms of the driving means for the spindles are disclosed, each driving means enabling either of the spindles to be driven. Means are also disclosed which locate the spools in positive driving engagement with the spindles but enable the cassette to be placed in position on the driving apparatus without the necessity for angularly aligning the spools with the spindles.

United States Patent 1,871,230 8/1932 Fosteretal.

Inventor George A. Bennett London, England Appl. No. 784,757 Filed Dec. 18, 1968 Patented Jan. 12, 1971 Assignee Selecuo-Miero Company Limited London, England a British Company Priority July 3, 1968 Great Britain 31670/68 and 31673/68 FILM MOUNTING AND DRIVING APPARATUS 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

u.s.c| 242/200 Int. Cl G031) 1/04, 01 lb 15/32,G1 lb 23/04 FieldofSear-ch 242 1s1- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,941,739 6/1960 Burke et a1. 242/ l 81 3,057,568 10/ l 962 Weidenhammer et a1. 242/ l 85 3,235,197 2/ 1966 Johnson et al. 242/204X 3,347,485 10/1967 Bundschuh 242/ 68.3

Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Chrisman AtzorneySmith, Michael, Bradford and Gardiner ABSTRACT: Apparatus for mounting film strip, such as microfilm strip, and for driving the film past a reading or viewing position, is disclosed in which the film is mounted on one spool in a cassette which also supports a takeup spool. The

cassette, which is removable from the driving apparatus, is-

positively located by spigot means so that each spool engages a respective spindle of the apparatus, there being radial play between each spool and the cassette. Different forms of the driving means for the spindles are disclosed, each driving means enabling either of the spindles to be driven. Means are also disclosed which locate the spools in positive driving engagement with the spindles but enable the cassette to be placed in position on the driving apparatus without the necessity for angularly aligning the spools with the spindles.

PATENTED JAM 2 I97! SHEET 1 BF 4 FIG/f INVENTOR GEORGE A. BENNETT g4- ATTORNEY PATENTED JAN 1 21971 SHEET 2 OF 4 lllll F/Cid.

INVENTOR GEORGE A. BEN

ATT RNEY PATENTEDJAN] 21911 I 7 $554,464

sum 3 0? 4 I 256 r 242 2 H MS FIG. 8.

' INVENTOR GECgfiR/GE A.. BENNETT W Y Wad,

AT; ORNEYS FILM MOUNTING AND DRIVING APPARATUS BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to film-driving and -mounting apparatus; the term film includes'microfilm strip and other elongated flexible media.

According to the invention, there is-provided film-driving apparatus, comprising first and second rotatable means, first and second film spool means, means respectively drivingly connecting the first and second rotatable means to the first and second spool means, driving means operatively arranged to drive a selected one of the two rotatable means and thereby to drive the corresponding one of the spool means so as to transfer film to that spool means from the'othe'r of the spool means, and braking means selectively operative to apply light braking to the said other spool means so as to maintain the bight of film between the spool means in controlled tension.

According to the invention, there is also provided filmsdriving apparatus, comprising, first and second rotatable means, first and second film spools, means respectively drivingly connecting the first and second rotatable means to the first and second spools, a motive power source, first and second clutch means each having an input and output, means drivingly connecting the output of each clutch means to a respective one of the rotatable means, means drivingly connecting the power source to the inputs of the two clutch means, first braking means mounted for selectively braking the rotation of the first rotatable means, second braking meansmounted for selectively braking rotation of the second rotatable means, and control means selectively operative to engage a selected one of the two clutch means, whereby to transmit the drive from the motive power source to the rotatable means connected to that clutch means, and to actuate the braking means of theother rotatable means, whereby to cause light braking of the other rotatable means so as to maintain the bight ot' film between the spools in controlled tension.

According to the invention there is further provided filmmounting apparatus, comprising a base, a pair of driving spindles'rotatably mounted on the for rotation about parallel axes separatedby a .pre'deterr'nine'd spacing, a film cassette, two film spools, locating means on the-base for positively locating the casette relative to the spindle axes, means respectively rotatably mounting the spoolsin the cassette for rotation about parallel axes and permitting limited movement of the spools in directions transverse to the axes, the nominal spacing between the spool axes and the range oflimited movement thereof being such that the two spindles respectively engage the two spools, and coupling means for coupling each spool to the respective one of the spindles.

According to the invention, there is still further provided film-driving apparatus, comprising a base, a spindle mounted on the base for rotation relative thereto, a motive power, motive power source to.

source, means operative to couple the the spindle, afilm spool defining a bore for receiving the spindle, spring-biased means mounted on one of the spindle and spool and biased in a direction which is transverse to the axis of rotation of the spindle and towards the other of the spindle and spool, and means defining a recess in the other of the spindle and spool in which recess the spring means is recieved to drivingly couple the spindle and spool when they are angularly aligied.

According to the invention, there is yet further provided film-driving apparatus, comprising j rotatable means, a film spool, means drivingly connecting the rotatable means and the film spool, a first driving motor, first driving means drivingly connecting the first driving motor and the rotatable means, a second driving motor, clutch means, second driving means including the clutch means and drivingly connecting the second driving motor to the rotatable means through the first driving motor and the first driving means, and control means for selectively energizing the driving motors and controlling the engagement of the clutch means whereby the first driving motor is energized, and the clutch means disengaged, to drive the rotatable means through the firstdriving means, and the second driving motor is energized with the clutch means en- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Apparatus embodying the invention, for mounting and driving microfilm, will now be described,by the wayof example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of a microfilm cassette embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section on the line Il-ll of FIG. I; Ill-FIG. 3 is a section on the line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side elevation, partly in section, of one form of driving apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a scrap sectional side elevation showing part of the cassette of FIGS. 1 to 3 located on the driving apparatus of FIGS.4and 5;

FIG. 7 is a scrap section of a modified form of spindle for use with driving apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevation, partly in section, corresponding to FIG. 4, of a modified form of driving apparatus embodying the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the driving apparatus of FIGS. 4 and s.

' DETAILED oescruenon The apparatus to be described is for mounting a microfilm strip, comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced frames, and for driving the microfilm strip past a viewing or reading location. As each frame comes into position at the readingor viewing location, a magnified image of the frame is projected 7 I5 and a lid 16. As shown in FIG. I, both the lid and the base are generally oblong in plan view but have a reentrant portion 18. As shown dotted in FIG. 1, the base 15 has an integral sidewall 20 which extends around the greater part of the periphery of the base 15 and supports the lid 16. The wall 20, besides extending upwardly to supportthe lid 16, also extends downwardly from the base 15 so as to provide a lip 21 (FIG. 2)

extending around the greater, of the underface of the cassette.

I Subsidiary wall portions 22 and 24' are also integrally moulded with the base 15 so that the cassetteis partially divided into twochambers 26 and 28 each of which contains a respective microfilm spool 30, 32.

Each spool 30, 32, is cylindrical in shape and has upper and lower shaft portions 34, 36 (FIG. 2) which extend into respective holes 38, 40, in the base 15 and the lid 16. Each shaft portion 34, 36 has a diameter such as to provide substantial radial clearance between it and its respective hole in the cassette. A through bore 42 extends through the two shaft portions and the cylindrical center of each spool, and the wall of this is provided with axial serrations 44 (FIG. 3). Each spool also has an eccentrically positioned, axially directed, through bore 46 (FIG. 3) which merges into an axiallydirected slot 48 in the periphery of the spool. A small solid cylinder 50 is located within the bore 46 with its axis parallel to the axis of the spool. The cylinderSO has a diameter which is substantially less than the diameter of the bore 46 but is greater than the width of the slot 48. The cylinder 50 is mounted in the bore 46 by means which allows it to move freely in a radial direction but locates it positively in an axial direction.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show driving apparatus suitable for receiving the cassette of FIGS. 1 to 3. The driving apparatus comprises a fixed base plate 60 on which is mounted'a raised portion 62 which acts as a spigot and whose periphery is accurately sized .tomatch the internal periphery of the lip 21 provided by the downwardly extending portion of the wall 20 (see FIG. 2) of T the cassette. Also supported on the platform 60 is a viewing assembly 64 together with a pair of spindles 66 and 68 which can rotate, relative to the base 60, in bearings 70. From each spindle, a respective shaft, rigidly coupled thereto, extends downwardly into a respective clutch and brake assembly 72, 74. a

The clutch and brake assembly 72 comprises an electrically energizable magnetic brake 76 which, when electrically energized in a manner to be explained, brakes rotation of the spindle 66. From the brake assembly 76, a shaft 78, which is a mechanical extension of the spindle 66", extends downwardly to an electrically energizable-magnetic clutch 80 and form the output shaft thereof. The clutch 80 has an input shaft 82 and, when electrically energizedin-a manner to be explained, the clutch 80 rigidlyvconn'ects the shaft 78 to the shaft 82. The clutch and brake assembly 74 is similar in construction to the assembly 72 and contains an electrically energizable magnetic brake 84 andan electrically energizable magnetic clutch 86 the latter having an input shaft 88. As in the case of the unit 72, electrical energization of the brake 84 brakes the'rotation of the spindle 68 and electrical energization of the clutch 86 mechanically interconnects the shaft 88 with the spindle 68.

The brake units 76 and 84 may conveniently be commercially available proprietary items. Y

The shafts 82 and 88 are coupled to a main shaft 90 by means of belts 92 and 94 and pulleys 96, and the shaft 90 is connected to be driven by an electrical DC shuntmotor 98 having field connections 99 and armature connections 100.

The shaft 90 also carries a further pulley 101 which is linked by a belt 102 through a further electrically energizable magnetic clutch unit 104 to a high ratio gearbox 106 and a very slow speed electric motor 108, the latter having field connections 109 and armature connections 1 10.

The various parts of the driving mechanism may be supported on a rigid plate or other support which is attached to the base 60 and has been omitted from the FIG. 4 to aid clari- In use, the cassette is placed on top of the base 60 and is positively located on the base 60 by means of the spigot 62 (FIG. 4) which locates in the peripheral lip 21 of the cassette (FIG. 2). The spigot 62 is so positioned on the base 60that the spindles 66 and 68, which respectively protrude into the bores 42 of the spools and 32, locate the spools so that their upper and lower shaft portions 34, 36, are substantially centrally positioned within the respective holes in the base and the lid of the cassette. The substantial radial clearance between each shaft portion 34, 36 and the corresponding hole 38, in the cassette obviates the necessity for high accuracy in the construction of the cassette and yet at the same time ensures free running of the spools.

FIG. 6 shows how the spindle 66 locates in the central bore 42 through the spool 30. As shown in FIG. 6 the upper end of the spindle 66 has an axial bore 114 whose open top is closed by a screw-in plug 116. The latter is counterbored to house a compression spring 118 which extends downwardly into the bore and downwardly biases a frustoconically shaped control member 120 which is slidable within the bore. A plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 122 extend through the wall of the bore 114 and provide seats in which are respectively located small balls 124. The relative diameters of the holes 122 and the balls 124 are such that the balls cannot pass completely through the holes 122 but can partially extend therethrough and are urged into such position by the downwardly biased control member 120. The spring biased control member 120 presses the balls 124 partially through the holes 122 in the spindle wall so that they engage in the serrations 44 in the bore 42 and in this way drivingly lock the enml tn the snindle.

The spindle 68 is formed in a similar formation to spindle 66 and locates in the spool 32 in a similar way.

The spring biasing of the control members of the two spindles enables the cassette to be pressed into position on the spindles irrespective of the angular positioning of the serrations in the spool bores relative to the balls in the spindles. Thus, if the relative angular position of the serrations 44 in a spool is such that their crests engage the balls 124, the latter are pressed inwardly, relative to the spindle, but spring outward, to locate in respective troughs of the serrations, as soon as any relative rotation takes place between the spindle and the spool.

In use, microfilm (not shown), which is wound on one of the spools 30, 32, is threaded therefrom, past the viewing assembly 64, and onto the-other spool. On each spool. the respective end of the microfilm is threaded through the slot 48 (FIG. 3) and into the bore 46. In use, in a manner now to be explained in'detail with reference to the circuit diagram of FIG. 9, one or other of the spindlesv 66. 68 is driven by the motor 98 (FIG. 4) to draw the microfilm in the appropriate direction past the viewing assembly 64. Any tension on the end of microfilm, tending to withdraw it from the bore 46' (FIG. 3), is resisted by the trapping action of the cylinder 50 which traps the film against'one or other of the edges of the slot 48. I

As each film frame moves into position in front of the viewing assembly 64, its image is optically presented, by a suitable optical system on to a'viewing screen (not shown) and/or is recorded such as, for example, by photographic means. The viewing assembly, and associated optical and photographic equipment, may be provided by any suitable means such as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art. The circuitry of the driving apparatus may be controlled-automatically, so as to locate any particular microfilm frame infront of the viewing assembly, by apparatus and circuitry such as, for example, is disclosed in copending Pat. Application Ser. No. 767,608 filed on Oct. 15, 1968, in the name of Douglas Leonard Steggall, assigned to the same assignees as this application.

The circuit (FIG. 9) for controlling the motors 98 and 108,

' and the drive to the spindles 66 and 68, is controlled by three relay coils A, B and C which are connected in parallel to a 0 volt supply line and are respectively energized through switches 152, 154 and 156 which connect to a negative supply line 158. Each relay coil is shunted by a respective diode. Each relay coil controls several sets of contacts which are indicated in the circuit diagram by the appropriate letter A, B or C followed by a serial number. The circuit diagram shows the contact sets in the positions assumed when none of the relay coils is energized.

The motor 98 has a field winding 160 which is connected directly to the O-volt line 150 and, through the contact 162 of a manually operable switch 164 and through contact sets Al and B1, to a 110 v. line 166. The motor 108 has a field winding 168 which, when the switch 164 is set to connect with a contact 170 instead of the contact 162, is brought into circuit instead of winding 160. Motor 98 has an armature 172 which is connected to the O-volt line 150 through a contact 174 of a manually operable switch 176 and through the normally closed contacts of the contact set B2. The other side of the armature 172 is connected to the line 166 through a contact 178 of a manually operable switch 180, the normally open contacts of the contact set A2, a contact 182 of a manually operable switch 184, the normally open contacts of the contact set C1 and the normally open contacts of the contact sets A1 and B1. A line 186 interconnects the normally closed contacts of the contact sets A2 and B2 and a line 188 connects the normally open contacts of these two contact sets. The motor 108 has an armature 190 which is brought into circuit, instead of the armature 172, when the switches 176 and are set to engage contacts 192 and 194. The switch 184 has a second contact 196 which, when engaged by the switch instead of the contact 182, bypasses the contact set C1.

The brake units 76 and 84 have respective energizing coils 200 and 202 which apply the respective brakes when ener-' gized. Similarly, the clutch assemblies 80 and 86 have energizing coils 204 and 206 which engage the respective clutches when energized. Each of the coils 200 and 206 is shunted by a respective diode. Each of the coils 200'and 202 has two possi ble energizing paths. Thus, the first path for coil 200 leads to a 24 v. line 208 through the normally open contacts of contact set B3, a preset resistor 210, the normally open contacts of contact set C2 and diode 21. The second path is through the normally closed contacts of contact set B3 and through normally closed contacts of contact sets B4 and A3. The coil 202 has a first energizing path through the normally open contacts of contact set A4, a preset resistor 214, and the normally open contacts of contact set C2. The second energizing path for coil 202 leads through the normally closed contacts of contact set A4 and thence to the normally closed contacts of contact sets B4 and A3. Coil'204 is connected to the 24 v. line 208 through the normally open contacts-of contact set B4 and the normally closed contacts of contact. set A3. The coil 206 is connected to the 24 v. line through the normally open contacts of contact set A3.

A line 216 connects the normally open contacts of contact set C1 to the 24 v. line 208 through the diode 212.

In operation, one or other of theswitches 152 and 154 is energized according to the desired direction of movement of the microfilm. If switch 152 is closed, coil A is energized and changes over the contacts of contact sets A1, A2, A3, and A4. Assuming that switches 164, 176, 178, and 184 are in positions illustrated, the field winding 160 of motor 98 is connected to the 31 110 v. line 166 through the contact set -A1 and is thus energized. At the same time the armature 172 is connected to the 110 v. line through'the normally closed contact of contact set B2, the now-closed contacts of contact set A2, the normally closed contacts of contact set C1, and the now-closed contacts of contact set A1. The motor 98 therefore commences to run in the forward direction. I

At the same time, the coil 206 is energized through the nowclosed contacts of contact set A3. The coils 200, 202, and 204 remain unenergized. Therefore, the clutch assembly 80 is engaged, and the clutch assembly 86 is held disengaged; both brake 76 and 84'are in the released state. Motor 98 thus drives the spindle 66 at high speed so as t'o draw the film in theforward direction past the viewing assembly 64.

'When the particular desired film-frame isapproachingassembly 64, switch 156 is closed to reduce the film speed as'will now be described. Closure of switch 156 may be done giz ed, the direction of B2, B3 and B4. Field winding 160 is therefore energized through the now-closed contacts of contact set B1, and the armature 172 is energized through line 186, the normally closed contacts of contact set A2, the now-closed contacts of contact set B2, and through line 188. The armature current is thus the reverse of that flowing previously, and motor 98 therefore runs in the opposite direction. At the same time, coil 204 is energized through the now-closed contacts of contact set B4 so as to engage the clutch 86. Clutch 80 remains disengaged and both brake 76 and 84 are held in the released state. Spindle 68 is therefore driven rapidly in the reverse direction and draws the microfilm-past the viewing assembly. If switch 156 is closed, it will be seen that a circuit is established for the braking coil 200 through the resistor 210 so as to provide light braking on the spindle 66 by'mean's of the brake 76, thus maintaining the bight of microfilm in controlled tension.

If the switches '164, 176, 178 and 184 (which may be ganged together).are changed over so as to connect contacts 170, 192, 194 and 196 in circuit, it'will be seen that the field winding168 and the armature 1900f the motor 108 are enerenergimtion, and thus the direction of rotation of the motor, being determined by which of the switches 152 and 154 is closed at this time. Motor 108' thus drives the microfilm through belt 102 and pulley 100 at a very slow speed. Motor 108 may thusbe used to drive the microfilm very slowly passed the viewing assembly for searching purposes.

The diodes shunting the relay coils A, B and C and the coils 200, 202, 204 and206 ensure rapid deenergization of the coils.

FIG. 7 shows a side elevation of modified form of the upper end of the spindle 66. Instead of having the bore 114 (FIG. 6)

- with the spring-biased control member-120 therein, the spindle 6 6 of FIG. 7 has a spring wire member 220 which, at one end, is wrapped round the spindle. The wire member 220 extendsdownwards from the trapped end and inclines outwardly from the spindle to a sharp bend 224 whence it extends radially inwardly to the spindle and enters diametral bore 226.

. The spindle 68 may take the same form.

' When the cassette of FIGS.- 1 to 3 is placed inposition on 1 the driving apparatus of FIGS. 4 and 5 the through bores 42 manually, or may be done automatically as disclosed in the above-mentioned copending Application 7 in the name of Douglas Leonard Steggall, and assigned to the same Assignees as this Application. I 1

when switch 156 is closed (switch 152 remaining closed), contact set C1 changes over so that the armature 172 is now fed fromthe 24 v. line 208 instead of from the 110 v. 166. Spindle 66 therefore continues to rotate in the same direction but at a slower Closure of switch 156 also changes over contact set C2. Therefore, coil 202 (controlling the brake 84) becomes energized through the closed contacts of contact set A4, the resistor 214, and the now-closed'contacts of contact set C2. Resistor 214 limits the current flowing through the coil 202 so that the brake 84 is applied only lightly and thus does not prevent film movement but provides sufficient braking on spindle 68 to ensure that spools is kept in controlled tension.-

When the desired film frame has-been located, switches 152 and 156 are released (this may be carried out automatically as disclosed in the above-mentioned copending Application in the name of Douglas Leonard Steggall). Coils A and C are therefore deenergized so as to cut off the supply to the field winding and armature of motor 98. The two brake coils 200 and 202 are now fully energized through, respectively, the normally closed contacts of contact sets B3 and A4, and thence through the normally closed contacts B4 and A3.

If the microfilm is to be driven in the reverse direction, switch 154 is closed so as to change over the contact sets B1,

the bight of microfilm between the of .the two spools and 32 engage the outwardly inclined portion of the wire members 220 on thespindles 66 and 68 and force them inwardly so, that the radially directed portions of the' wire members move inwardly into the bores 226 of the spindles. The outwardly inclined portions of'the wire members 220 are eventually forced into positionsinwhich they lie along the respective spindles so as to engage one of the serrations 44 and in this way drivingly couple the spools to the spindles. If desired, the serrations 44 can be dispensed with, and replaced with single axial keyways through the bores 42 for engagement with the wire members 220. It will be seen that, as with the spindle construction shown in FIG. 6, the spindle construction of 116.7 enables the cassette to be snapped into position onto the driving apparatus without there being any necessity for aligning the spools with the spindles; if the spools are initially misaligned, the wire members, 220 are forced into shallow troughs 228 (FIG. 8) whence they spring out into driving en gagement with the bores 42 of the spools as soon as sufficient relative rotation has taken place.

FIG. 8 shows a modified form of driving apparatus embodying the invention. As in the case of the drivingsapparatus of FIGS. 4 and 5, the apparatus of FIG. 8 includes the base plate 60, the viewing assembly 64, and the spindles 66 and 68. Instead of the spigot 62, there are provided two fixed locating pins 230 and 232 which engage in appropriately positioned holes in the cassette, such as holes 234 and 236 (FIG. 1) and locate the cassette. The upper ends of the spindles 66 and 68 may be formed in the manner shown in FIG. 6 or in the manner shown in FIG. 7.

The driving mechanism for each of the spindles 66 and 68 of FIG. 8 is the same, and only that for spindle 66 will be described.

The driving mechanism comprises a shaft 240 which extends downwardly from the spindle 66 to an electrically energizable magnetic clutch 242 for which it forms the output shaft. The shaft 240 carries a pulley 244. The clutch 242 has an input shaft 246 which carries a pulley 248.

The driving mechanism for the spindle 66 includes two motors 250 and 252. The output shaft of motor 250 carries a pulley 254 which is connected to pulley 244 by a belt 256. The

output shaft of motor 252 drives a reduction gear box 258. The output shaft of the gear box 258 extends downwardly to carry a pulley 260 which is linked to the pulley 248 by a belt 262, and extends upwardly to form the input shaft of an electrically energizable magnetic clutch 264. The output shaft of the magnetic clutch 264 is rigidly connected to the shaft of the motor 250.

In use, the spindle 66 is driven at high speed by electrically energizing the motor 250 and maintaining both magnetic clutches 242 and 264 unenergised and therefore disengaged. Motor 250 therefore drives the spindle 66 through pulley 254, belt 256, and pulley 244. Rotation of the spindle 66 thus draws the microfilm rapidly passed the viewing assembly 64.

When it is desired to reduce the speed of film transport, motor 250 is deenergized, and motor 252 and magnetic clutch 264 are energized. Spindle 66 now rotates at a slow speed, the drive being taken from the motor 252 through gear box 258, clutch 264, motor 250 (which is not energized and thus provides no motive power), pulley 254, belt 256, and pulley 244.

' If it is desired to move the microfilm at a very slow speed for searching purposes, then clutch 264 is deenergized, clutch 242 is energized, motor 250 is deenergized and motor 252 is energized. The drive now passes through gear box 258, pulley 260, belt 262, pulley 248, clutch 242, and shaft 240. The relative diameters of pulleys 260 and 248 provide the necessary speed reduction.

The driving mechanism of the spindle 68 operates in a similar fashion. I i

The various parts of the driving mechanisms may be supported on a rigid plate or other support attached to the base 60 and which has been omitted from FIG. 8 to aid clarity.

In order to provide light braking on the spindle which is not being directly driven by its driving mechanism at any time, the high speed motor therein can be electrically energized so as to provide light electrical braking to its spindle.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described are merely exemplary of many forms the invention can take and it is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. Film-driving apparatus, comprising: first and second rotatable means; first and second film spool means; means respectively drivingly connecting the first and second rotatable means to the first and second spool means;

driving means operatively arranged to drive a selected one of the two rotatable means and thereby to drive the corresponding one of the spool means so as to transfer film to that spool means from the other spool means;

braking means selectively operative to apply light braking to the said other spool means so as to maintain the bight of film between the spool means in controlled tension; speed control means connected to the driving means and selectively operative to reduce the speed thereof; andmeans operatively interconnecting the braking means with the speed control means so that the said light braking means is applied only when the speed of the driving means has been reduced.

2. Film-driving apparatus, comprising:

first and second rotatable means;

first and second film spools;

means respectively drivingly connecting the first and second rotatable means to the first and second spools;

a motive power source;

first and second clutch means each having an input and an' output;

means drivingly connecting t he output of each clutch means to a respective one of the rotatable means;

means drivingly connecting the power source to the inputs of the two clutch means;

first braking means mounted for selectively braking th rotation of the first rotatable means;

second braking means mounted for selectively braking rotation of the second rotatable means;

control means selectively operative to engage a selected one of the two clutch means, whereby to' transmit the drive from the motive power source to the} rotatable means connected to that clutch means, and to actuate the braking means of the other rotatable means, whereby to cause light braking of the other rotatable means so as to maintain the bight of film between the spools in controlled tension; and

the control means including speed reduction means operative, when activated, to reduce the speed of the motive power source whereby the rotatable means drivingly connected to the said selected one of the two clutch means is driven at a reduced speed, and interlock means operative to actuate the braking means of the other rotatable means only when the speed reduction means is operative.

3. Film-mounting apparatus, comprising:.

a base;

a pair of driving spindles rotatably mounted on the base for rotation about parallel axes separated by a predetermined spacing;

a film cassette;

locating means on the base for positively locating the cassette relative to the spindle axes;

means respectively rotatably mounting the spools in the cassette for rotation about parallel axes and permitting limited movement of the spools in directions transverse to the axes, the nominal spacing between the spool axes and the range of limited movement thereof being such that the two spindles respectively engage the two spools;

coupling means for coupling each spool to the respective one of the spindles;

a motive power source;

first and second clutch means each having an input and an output;

means drivingly connecting the output of each clutch means to a respective one of the spindles;

means drivingly connecting the power source to the inputs of the two clutch means;

first braking means mounted for selectively braking the rotation of one of the spindles;

second braking means mounted for selectively braking rotation of the other of the spindles;

control means selectively operative to engage a selected one of the two clutch means, whereby to transmit the drive from the motive power source to the spindle connected to that clutch means, and to actuate the braking means of the other spindle, whereby to cause light braking of the other spindle so as to maintain the bight of film between the spools in controlled tension; and

the control means including speed reduction means operative, when actuated, to reduce the speed of the motive power source whereby the spindle drivingly coupled to the said selected one of the two clutch means is driven at a reduced speed and interlock means operative to actuate the braking means of the other spindle only when the speed reduction means is operative.

4. Film-driving apparatus, comprising:

a base;

a spindle mounted on the base for rotation relative thereto;

a motive power source;

means operative to couple the motive power source to the spindle;

a film spool defining a bore for receiving the spindle;

means defining a recess in the spool bore;

the spindle having an axial bore which meets an aperture defined in and extending through the wall of the spindle bore; and

the spring-biased means comprising a first member movable radially of the :pindle bore and extending partially through the aperture and a second member spring-biased to move axially of the bore, the two members presenting mutually inclined contacting surfaces whereby the axial movement of the second member biases the first member radially outward through the aperture and into the said recess to drivingly couple the spindle and spool when they are angularly aligned.

5. Film-driving apparatus, comprising:

rotatable means;

a film spool;

means drivingly connecting the rotatable means and the film spool;

a first driving motor;

first driving means drivingly connecting the first driving motor and the rotatable means;

a second driving motor;

clutch means;

second driving means including the clutch means and drivingly connecting the second driving motor to the rotatable means through the first driving motor and the first driving means;

first driving motor unenergised to drive the rotatable,

means through the second driving means, the first driving motor, and the first driving means; and

speed reduction means connected between the second driving motor and the second driving means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, including:

further clutch means;

further speed reduction means;

third driving means including the further clutch means and the further speed reduction means and drivingly connecting the second driving motor to the rotatable means through the two speed" reduction means and the further clutch means; and

further control means operative to energize the second driving motor and to engage the further clutch means, with the first driving, motor unenergised and the first-mentioned clutch means unengaged, whereby to drive the rotatable means through the two speed reductions means and the further clutch means. 

1. Film-driving apparatus, comprising: first and second rotatable means; first and second film spool means; means respectively drivingly connecting the first and second rotatable means to the first and second spool means; driving means operatively arranged to drive a selected one of the two rotatable means and thereby to drive the corresponding one of the spool means so as to transfer film to that spool means from the other spool means; braking means selectively operative to apply light braking to the said other spool means so as to maintain the bight of film between the spool means in controlled tension; speed control means connected to the driving means and selectively operative to reduce the speed thereof; and means operatively interconnecting the braking means with the speed control means so that the said light braking means is applied only when the speed of the driving means has been reduced.
 2. Film-driving apparatus, comprising: first and second rotatable means; first and second film spools; means respectively drivingly connecting the first and second rotatable means to the first and second spools; a motive power source; first and second clutch means each having an input and an output; means drivingly connecting the output of each clutch means to a respective one of the rotatable means; means drivingly connecting the power source to the inputs of the two clutch means; first braking means mounted for selectively braking the rotation of the first rotatable means; second braking means mounted for selectively braking rotation of the second rotatable means; control means selectively operative to engage a selected one of the two clutch means, whereby to transmit the drive from the motive power source to the rotatable means connected to that clutch means, and to actuate the braking means of the other rotatable means, whereby to cause light braking of the other rotatable means so as to maintain the bight of film between the spools in controlled tension; and the control means including speed reduction means operative, when activated, to reduce the speed of the motive power source whereby the rotatable means drivingly connected to the said selected one of the two clutch means is driven at a reduced speed, and interlock means operAtive to actuate the braking means of the other rotatable means only when the speed reduction means is operative.
 3. Film-mounting apparatus, comprising: a base; a pair of driving spindles rotatably mounted on the base for rotation about parallel axes separated by a predetermined spacing; a film cassette; two film spools; locating means on the base for positively locating the cassette relative to the spindle axes; means respectively rotatably mounting the spools in the cassette for rotation about parallel axes and permitting limited movement of the spools in directions transverse to the axes, the nominal spacing between the spool axes and the range of limited movement thereof being such that the two spindles respectively engage the two spools; coupling means for coupling each spool to the respective one of the spindles; a motive power source; first and second clutch means each having an input and an output; means drivingly connecting the output of each clutch means to a respective one of the spindles; means drivingly connecting the power source to the inputs of the two clutch means; first braking means mounted for selectively braking the rotation of one of the spindles; second braking means mounted for selectively braking rotation of the other of the spindles; control means selectively operative to engage a selected one of the two clutch means, whereby to transmit the drive from the motive power source to the spindle connected to that clutch means, and to actuate the braking means of the other spindle, whereby to cause light braking of the other spindle so as to maintain the bight of film between the spools in controlled tension; and the control means including speed reduction means operative, when actuated, to reduce the speed of the motive power source whereby the spindle drivingly coupled to the said selected one of the two clutch means is driven at a reduced speed and interlock means operative to actuate the braking means of the other spindle only when the speed reduction means is operative.
 4. Film-driving apparatus, comprising: a base; a spindle mounted on the base for rotation relative thereto; a motive power source; means operative to couple the motive power source to the spindle; a film spool defining a bore for receiving the spindle; means defining a recess in the spool bore; the spindle having an axial bore which meets an aperture defined in and extending through the wall of the spindle bore; and the spring-biased means comprising a first member movable radially of the spindle bore and extending partially through the aperture and a second member spring-biased to move axially of the bore, the two members presenting mutually inclined contacting surfaces whereby the axial movement of the second member biases the first member radially outward through the aperture and into the said recess to drivingly couple the spindle and spool when they are angularly aligned.
 5. Film-driving apparatus, comprising: rotatable means; a film spool; means drivingly connecting the rotatable means and the film spool; a first driving motor; first driving means drivingly connecting the first driving motor and the rotatable means; a second driving motor; clutch means; second driving means including the clutch means and drivingly connecting the second driving motor to the rotatable means through the first driving motor and the first driving means; control means for selectively energizing the driving motors and controlling the engagement of the clutch means whereby the first driving motor is energized, and the clutch means disengaged, to drive the rotatable means through the first driving means, and the second driving motor is energized with the clutch means engaged and the first driving motor unenergised to drive the rotatable means through the second driving means, the first driving motor, and the first driving means; and SPEED reduction means connected between the second driving motor and the second driving means.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, including: further clutch means; further speed reduction means; third driving means including the further clutch means and the further speed reduction means and drivingly connecting the second driving motor to the rotatable means through the two speed reduction means and the further clutch means; and further control means operative to energize the second driving motor and to engage the further clutch means, with the first driving motor unenergised and the first-mentioned clutch means unengaged, whereby to drive the rotatable means through the two speed reductions means and the further clutch means. 